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Scientists at University College London believe the antibiotic vancomycin – used to treat acute bacterial skin infections – could be the answer.

Senior Research Associate Dr Joseph Ndieyira explained: “Antibiotics have ‘keys’ that fit ‘locks’ on bacterial cell surfaces, allowing them to latch on. When a bacterium becomes resistant to a drug, it effectively changes the locks.

“Incredibly, we found that certain antibiotics can still ‘force’ the lock, allowing them to kill resistant bacteria because they are able to push hard enough. In fact, some of them were so strong they tore the door off its hinges, killing the bacteria instantly.”